Saskatchewan overdose deaths on track to meet last year’s numbers | 24CA News
As the vacation season rolls in, Saskatchewan’s overdose deaths are on observe with the 2021 numbers, probably ending the 12 months with extra deaths than the final.
The Saskatchewan Coroner’s Report as much as Nov. 30 says there have been 395 drug toxicity deaths within the province, 171 of these are complete confirmed drug toxicity deaths, and 224 are suspected drug toxicity deaths.
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This places the province behind the 2021 numbers by 15, with 410 deaths being reported, 398 of that are confirmed.
Kayla DeMong with Prairie Harm Reduction says there’s a probability of overdose deaths rising over the vacation season.
“The holiday season can be very difficult, and as we see lots of closures over Christmas and service restrictions, there always is a risk for things to increase. It’s the same anticipation we have every year,” DeMong stated.
Fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl are recognized in each years because the main medicine recognized within the confirmed deaths.
People of their 30s, 40s and 50s make up the majority of the confirmed drug toxicity deaths this 12 months.
The majority of those deaths are being reported in Regina and Saskatoon, with 36 reported in Saskatoon and 73 reported in Regina.
DeMong stated individuals who use medicine or individuals who know others who use medicine ought to get naloxone kits and coaching.
She added naloxone kits could be picked up from Prairie Harm Reduction, at most pharmacies and from the Opioid Assisted Recovery Services clinic.
“Get that training, get those resources in place just in case.”
Troy Davies, director of public affairs for Medavie Health Services West, says they used to solely obtain calls on holidays and weekends, however now they’re seeing calls every day.
“I know every year we release our amount of Narcan administrations we give, and we’re going to do that again here at the end of the year, we’re just tabulating that right now. We assume we’re either at or more than what we were for last year,” Davies stated.
He stated previously you’d see extra suicides, intoxication and melancholy throughout the vacation season, however says now it doesn’t actually matter.
Davies stated it has helped to have bystanders, police, firefighters and well being officers administering Narcan.
He suggests folks verify on their neighbours this vacation season, noting that it may be a tense time for a lot of.
“In my 27 some years’ experience in EMS, I’ve (responded to) six suicides over the Christmas holidays. It’s that time of year where there’s a lot of depression and some stressful situations for some people.”
“A lot of people forget about seniors. If you have a neighbour, a lot of seniors don’t have family and just checking in and knocking on a door, seeing how they are doing, that’s the good neighbourly thing to do.”
He added that the province has gotten proactive quite than reactive over the previous 18 months in relation to recognizing overdoses and psychological well being, however stressors just like the pandemic, inflation and the price of residing have been affecting folks.
DeMong says modifications nonetheless should be made, including she expects the identical form of outcomes subsequent 12 months.
“I think this is the reality of the fact that we haven’t seen any real changes this year, and again, year-over-year, we’re not seeing the investment that is needed in the communities to really address overdose numbers.”
DeMong stated overdose deaths are a results of a poisonous drug provide, and that there aren’t any protected provide choices within the province.
She added that Saskatchewan doesn’t have any protected provide clinics, protected consumption websites within the province stay unfunded and entry to assets comes with an extended wait time.
“We don’t have access to resources. It’s still months and weeks and years of waiting for mental health and substance use support. And so, without an investment across the board, looking at the full spectrum and continuum of care, we’re going to see this year over year.”
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